Summer Conference - Day 1

My brothers Weston and Jeff are both woodshop teachers "Up North" and each year they down to Ephraim for their Summer Professional Development Conference. Usually this means they spend at least one evening fishing, but this year Dad finally took us up on the invite and came with them to do some fishing during the day. So to start out our two and a half days of fishing I decided that my sons, my Dad and I would walk into a lake not too far from my house that holds some nice fish. 

The first epiphany on the hike in? The boys really need some good hiking boots if we're going to do much hiking. The second? I need a backpack that doesn't kill my shoulders the moment I put it on (I didn't even have that much stuff packed). Once at the lake I started to work on making this a successful trip for my boys and it didn't take long for Atley to haul in a nice Cutthroat.

Pretty good one!

Then it was Caden's turn to try his hand with the rod and it didn't take him long to haul in a good fish!

He was afraid that he'd drop it

The boys kept taking turns with the rod while I helped out as much as I could. Atley even caught a really nice Brook trout (about 17-18") that we didn't get a picture of because he dropped it back in the water before I could get the camera ready. Sometimes you just gotta be quick I guess! At least the fish got away, no worse for wear. The boys even let me have a turn with the rod so I didn't have to go fish-less.

Pretty Fish

My Dad tried just about everything he had in his box, but he just couldn't find what they wanted (even when he tried the flies that were working for us). I tried to help him out, but sometimes there's no escaping the skunk.

Definitely one of the prettier places I fish, that's why it's my blog's background!

Once the temperature started to rise we headed back to the car. The hike out took less time then we expected so there was a little time to drive around and explore just a bit. The feeling of only seeing the tip of the iceberg seems to go hand in hand with this area so an opportunity to even drive a little bit is always welcomed. In the high country we came across three bull elk that held still just long enough to get a blurry picture of.

Hard to tell in the pic, but the one furthest from us will be a pretty nice bull

When we got back to the house we reconvened with the conference goers and the wife made us an awesome hamburger dinner. After eating we were back out the door to hit a small stream in the hopes of finding some fish.

Feels good to hook one after a lot of missed strikes

One of the joys of living in Sanpete county hit us right in the nose when we got out of the truck. Turkeys and cows outnumber residents down here and their smell seemed to be coming from all directions. We pressed on and both Weston and Jeff found a willing trout in the fading light though my Dad was still feeling the skunk. There were many more hits than fish landed, but it was a good day. On to day two and more fun and games! 

Hope you're as lucky,

Kidder

Browns love the dark!

Looking Forward

Seeing as how we're 8 days into this year and I'm tired of watching New Zealand fishing videos, I thought I'd tell you about some of the plans (hopes?) I have for the upcoming year. 

Soon (very soon) I'd like to head out and hit some tailwaters for some mid-winter nymphing and, with any luck, some midge action. Last year I had some great days in January and am anxious to get back at it. (Read the post here) I'd also like to take the winter show on the road and hit a big tailwater, if the funds allow.....

As soon as the weather warms up a bit I'd like to get after some carp like I did last year in April (Read the post here) and hopefully put the new 8 wt. to use chasing some Pike. I've never caught a Pike on the fly before but I'm hoping to check that off the bucket list early this year. I'm also thinking about going after some Largemouth Bass on the fly (that bucket list won't know what hit it).

May will bring warmer temps, run-off, irrigation flows, and hopefully a trip to the south in search of Brook Trout. Last year I found a nice lake that promised nice brookies, but all I hooked up with were Cutts (here) and I can't wait to get back to it. May into June should be pretty epic. 

As far as 'Resolutions' go I'm not too good, but I've got some things that I'd like to focus on in the blog this year. One this is, I'm going to try and get more creative with the camera. I like taking the fish pics, but feel like I need to mix it up. I'll keep working on underwater views, and different angles. I'm also hoping to add some short video clips and tutorial type stuff. 

I'm also looking forward to trying some different techniques. Mainly streamer fishing. I've done it at odd times here and there, but last year I was able to get into some night time streamer fishing and think I may have a new obsession. (here)

From there it should be a summer free from classes at the University. Looking forward to camping more and taking my sons out into nature. But for now I'll spin rods, tie flies and watch youtube angrily. Hope to get out soon, and hope that you can get out and enjoy the water.

- Kidder

Earning It

With the weather warming back up this week I was hoping to head out Friday to do a little exploring. Too bad the wife had a pretty long to-do list waiting for me. So, after trying to get all the stuff around the house done Friday, Saturday was cleared for my little expedition.

I've heard of a certain lake, in a certain area of the state that may, or may not, have some quality Brook and Cutthroat Trout in it. Of course I ascertained this from reading between the lines. The standard stories of a hard to find unmarked trail that was regularly patrolled by bears seemed unlikely, so I was set for the attempt. Unfortunately, the trail really was tough to find, but I knew roughly where the lake was and so bushwacked my way in, remarkably cutting the trail after only a short while.

Coming off my elk hunting trips earlier in the month, I couldn't help but notice how much elk sign there was. Maybe next year I'll try hunting around here...

One of many cans that I collected throughout the day. This one, however, was full.

A great site after a hike.

As I worked my way around the lake I noticed some brown box-elder-ish bugs that happened to be falling into the water. Too bad I don't have a pattern, 'cause the fish seemed to like them.

After struggling to catch a couple of small cutts, I hooked into a much larger fish that promptly took a lot of line very quickly and broke me off. Thinking it was to be my only opportunity of the day I was pretty pissed. But quickly afterwards I had another take from a quality fish that came unbuttoned much too quickly. Feelings of inadequacy soon subsided once I had this guy in hand.

After that the fish began to rise more regularly and I caught several before deciding that it was past time for me to try and find my way out. Luckily I hustled, and arrived back at the truck just before dark.

 I set out looking for Brookies and all I found were Cutts. But somehow I don't really feel like I failed.  Hopefully you can get out and enjoy the water.

Back to fishing!

Finally, I was able to clear a day to hit the stream. Woke up with high expectations and way too many things to get ready. After about forty frantic minutes of trying to remember everything I was out the door (for reals this time) and headed to one of my favorite streams. Surprisingly it wasn't too cold upon arrival, and I could go without my winter coat.

It's nice up here

Didn't take long for me to find a chunky little bow with my Orange & Black streamer.

First fish of the day always deserves to be included

Making my way downstream I noticed how low the water was, and with the heavy vegetation in the stream-bed, I was in for a difficult day. Oh well, the fishing is always good even if the catching isn't what we dreamt of. 

It looks like I'm squeezing him, but I promise I'm not

After struggling out a few fish here and there on various nymphs, I made my way up to what is usually one of the better pools of this stream. Blue Winged Olives were providing some proof of life and I was soon into some dry fly action. 

Caught a couple of Tiger trout today, though
this was definitely the best looking one

Falling temperatures and a stiff breeze put an end to the topwater action. So I decided to end my day just like I'd started it, throwing streamers. 

Really pretty colors. Nice cut on the tail and extra
 long bottom lip.  A very unique fish

On went an Olive & White streamer I tied up a while ago and it was lights out till the light left the water.

Still trying to get a good underwater pic

Something definitely happened to his
eye, though he seemed to find my fly alright

Second to last fish of the day, a very dark Brown Trout

 Felt great to get out and fish! Caught Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroat and Tiger Trout on a mixture of Streamers, Nymphs and Dry Flies. I don't know that this will hold me over for too long though, I can't wait to get back at it. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy the water.

I think this was a mink, he decided I was too
close right before I could get the picture taken